Snoqualmie Falls

With repairs completed at Larson Dodge it was time to say so long to a great stay with my brother and his family.  They are indeed the greatest hosts, and some really great kids, did I mention the chickens?  We’re off to Snoqualmie Falls ….


Although I’ve been coming here for 5 decades, it’s only recently that there’s time (and money!) to enjoy the unique wines and food of the Salish Lodge.  A couple glasses of wine then share the Burrata Cheese Panzanella Salad and the Washington Pear & Prosciutto stone fired pizza in The Attic, with a view out the window.  A great way to relax.


The trail starts at the Upper Park (main park) area and down 300’ to the old fish hatchery, now Lower Park.  The trail is very well maintained, with various signs along the way to identify the vegetation.   But don't feed the Sasquatch.


It’s not uncommon to find tress growing out of the logs and stumps of their elders.



The view at the base of the falls is worth the effort.  While in high school we’d come up here (to the fish hatchery then) to swim, sometimes to what is now the river access area Lower Park, or sometimes take the short rock scramble the base of the falls itself.  Great memories and glad to see the kids still enjoy the old swimming holes.


According to the sign at Lower Park, maybe I’m getting too old to do the hike … NOT!


Going to hang out in Snohomish for a while before camping with the kids in Newhalem.

July 2014–Homeward Bound

SNOQUALMIE FALLS, TACOMA, MT ST HELENS, OREGON, CALIFORNIA

Just beyond Woodinville, across the Sammamish Slough is DoM’s old house.  Many fond memories of DoM and the trips to visit every fall.  Then a stop to celebrate the 4th with DoM at her final resting place.  On a trip to the cemetery with DoM to visit other relatives and my brother Randy – who shares her site - her headstone was in place without the second date.  She mentioned for her birthday she’d like the other date.  That wish was granted on her 86 birthday.  RIP DoM!


When I got my first car I’d make the trip on old 2-lane potholed blacktop along Lake Sammamish to visit Boehm's in Issaquah.  Haven’t been back since the last trip with DoM to Gilman Village.  There’s now a major road off the freeway to Snoqualmie Falls.  Too many TV sets (including Twin Peaks, The Vanishing, etc) too many people and too much money have turned the Cougar Wilderness into Cougar Park and condos.  But it sure makes the drive shorter!
 
A pear pizza was a treat at the Salish Lodge with a view of the falls from the table in the Attic.


Into Tacoma for a couple days with my brother and family.  Some of the clan was able to make dinner on the waterfront at Johnny’s Seafood Company where J is working.  Good food, good wine, great views.




Last day before heading home at Point Defiance Park.


Time to depart, but wanting to linger a bit longer on a beautiful day, a side trip to the Mt St Helens Observatory seemed appropriate.



Dayton OR, settled for the night at an RV park in the Willamette Valley wine country.  More tasting rooms than Starbucks – over 300 wineries!




I will not cross the Siskiyou at night – too pretty in summer, too dangerous in winter.  Stopped outside of Medford OR at the Rogue River for the night.


After Lake Shasta again on off the freeway.  Stopped for the final night on the shores of the Sacramento River.


Home, and planning the next trip … Vegas Baby!